Methods and apparatus for mobile additive manufacturing of advanced roadway systems

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for adding line features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the line features may include wires, conduits and electronic components. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway in line features, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the line features may be dynamically colored with LED components.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for depositing a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
 transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
 a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals, 
 an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller, 
 a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface, 
 a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and 
 a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system; 
 
 adding a first material to the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first material is powder; 
 moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location; 
 confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system; and 
 adding the first material to the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus operates autonomously. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the surface is a sports playing field. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the surface is a roadway. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the powder is photoactive. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the powder is thermoactive. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the powder is a mixture of chemicals. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the powder is sprayed upon the sports playing field. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  wherein the line feature material is heated by the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein the line feature material covers a wire. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7  wherein the line feature material covers an electrical diode. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 6  wherein the line feature material covers an antenna. 
     
     
       13. A method for depositing a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
 transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
 a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals, 
 an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller, 
 a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface, 
 a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and 
 a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system; 
 
 adding a first material to the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first material is paint; 
 moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location; 
 confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system; and 
 adding the first material to the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus operates autonomously. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the surface is a sports playing field. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  wherein the surface is a roadway. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13  wherein the paint comprises epoxy. 
     
     
       18. A method for creating a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
 transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
 a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals, 
 an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller, 
 a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface, 
 a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and 
 a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system; 
 
 creating a first line feature on the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first line feature is formed by one or more of a griding apparatus and a milling apparatus; 
 moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location; 
 confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system; and 
 continuing the creation of the first line feature on the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising adding a powder to the first line feature with the mobile additive manufacturing system. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  further comprising adding one or more of a paint and an epoxy to the first line feature with the mobile additive manufacturing system.